15 Best Engineering Schools in the U.S., Ranked

When it comes to getting an engineering degree, these U.S. schools are the cream of the crop.

These esteemed engineering schools, renowned for their commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and engineering prowess, have consistently demonstrated their ability to shape the future through cutting-edge research, a distinguished faculty and a nurturing environment. As a result, they often end up on “best of” lists.

No matter your engineering focus, these institutions offer unparalleled opportunities for students to realize their potential and leave an indelible mark on the world.

15. University of Southern California (Viterbi)

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Location: Los Angeles, California

Year founded: 1905

Per credit cost: $2,309

Enrollment in master’s program: 5,732

Note: Rankings are based on the best engineering schools from the U.S. News and World Report for 2023–2024, and costs and enrollment numbers are for the master’s programs at these schools.

Bottom Line: University of Southern California (Viterbi)

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The University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering is known for its excellence in engineering education and research, and it’s consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the country.

The school offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines, including aerospace, biomedical, civil, electrical and computer engineering. Graduate and Ph.D. students can take classes online, on campus or a combination of both.

14. Johns Hopkins University (Whiting)

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Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Year founded: 1913

Annual cost: $60,480

Enrollment in master’s program: 2,604

Bottom Line: Johns Hopkins University (Whiting)

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Johns Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering offers grads and undergrads classes in biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as other disciplines.

Whiting emphasizes cutting-edge research, technological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty, which is made up of leading experts and scholars engaged in groundbreaking research and advancements in their respective fields.

13. Cornell University

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Location: Ithaca, New York

Year founded: 1865

Annual cost: $29,500

Enrollment in master’s program: 2,617

Bottom Line: Cornell University

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Cornell is known for its rigorous curriculum, distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Grads and undergrads can take classes in biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering.

The school fosters a culture of creativity and critical thinking, preparing graduates to address complex challenges and make significant contributions to the field of engineering and beyond.

12. University of California, San Diego (Jacobs)

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Location: La Jolla, California

Year founded: 1964

Annual cost: $11,700

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,565

Bottom Line: University of California, San Diego (Jacobs)

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UCSD’s Jacobs School offers programs in bioengineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and structural engineering, among other disciplines.

An esteemed faculty and state-of-the-art facilities round out the offerings at Jacobs. Here, students benefit from hands-on learning experiences, industry partnerships and opportunities for entrepreneurship.

11. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Grainger)

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Location: Urbana, Illinois

Year founded: 1868

Annual cost: $19,320

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,812

Bottom Line: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Grainger)

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With courses in aerospace, civil, computer science, electrical, mechanical and bioengineering, there’s plenty to choose from for grads and undergrads at the Grainger College of Engineering.

Alumni have founded or cofounded several well known tech companies you may have heard of, including Yelp, YouTube, Tesla and Oracle.

10. Texas A&M University, College Station

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Location: College Station, Texas

Year founded: 1880

Per credit cost: $287

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,380

Bottom Line: Texas A&M University, College Station

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Aerospace, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering are just a few of the programs offered to grads and undergrads by Texas A&M University.

While the school has many labs and facilities onsite for engineering research, it also partners with the local Texas Engineering Experiment Station on research projects.

9. University of Texas at Austin (Cockrell)

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Location: Austin, Texas

Year founded: 1894

Annual cost: $10,554

Enrollment in master’s program: 2,395

Bottom Line: University of Texas at Austin (Cockrell)

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The University of Texas’ Cockrell Engineering School offers 11 undergrad and 13 graduate programs in various engineering disciplines.

This highly selective school is on “best of” lists year after year — for those interested in pursuing an engineering degree, Cockrell is an option that really can’t be beaten.

8. University of Michigan

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Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Year founded: 1807

Annual cost: $29,466

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,800

Bottom Line: University of Michigan

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The engineering program at the University of Michigan is renowned for its excellence in education, research and innovation — so much so that its students are always in high demand by employers.

The school offers undergrad and grad degrees in various disciplines, including aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, industrial and operations engineering and mechanical engineering, among others.

7. California Institute of Technology

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Location: Pasadena, California

Year founded: 1891

Annual cost: $60,657 (tuition cost)

Enrollment in master’s program: 548

Bottom Line: California Institute of Technology

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Caltech’s student body is the smallest on this list — in fact, it’s smaller than some high schools, and as a result, it has one of the best faculty-student ratios. From that small student body, 46 Caltech alumni and faculty have won a whopping 47 Nobel Prizes.

Caltech’s engineering program offers a wide range of disciplines for grads and undergrads, including aerospace, chemical, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering.

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

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Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Year founded: 1885

Annual cost: $14,064

Enrollment in master’s program: 4,784

Bottom Line: Georgia Institute of Technology

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Georgia Tech also offers a diverse range of programs for grads and undergrads in aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, industrial, materials science and mechanical engineering.

Hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research are the name of the game at this school, which provides students with a stimulating environment to develop their skills and creativity.

5. Carnegie Mellon University

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Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Year founded: 1905

Annual cost: $52,100

Enrollment in master’s program: 4,843

Bottom Line: Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering gives students various engineering program options in biomedical, chemical, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical and robotics engineering.

Students can also attend engineering courses in countries like Chile, Portugal and Japan. The school offers an accelerated master’s program in Engineering and Technology Innovation Management that takes only one year to finish. Undergraduates can also complete an accelerated master’s in one year after graduation.

4. Purdue University

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Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

Year founded: 1869

Annual cost: $10,842

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,495

Bottom Line: Purdue University

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Purdue’s College of Engineering offers courses in aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, industrial, mechanical and materials engineering, and its alumni often secure rewarding careers in industry, academia and research.

Some notable graduates include Neil Armstrong (the first astronaut on the Moon), Charles Ellis (the Golden Gate Bridge’s designer) and John Atalla (who created the “PIN” or personal identification number).

3. University of California, Berkeley

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Location: Berkeley, California

Year founded: 1868

Annual cost: $11,700

Enrollment in master’s program: 2,673

Bottom Line: University of California, Berkeley

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A master’s of engineering takes about two years to achieve at Berkeley, but there is an accelerated program, which takes about one year to complete. All grad students must complete two minors; however, these do not have to be in engineering.

Berkeley boasts 40 research centers and institutes for its engineering students.

2. Stanford University

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Location: Stanford, California

Year founded: 1891

Annual cost: $66,297

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,469

Bottom Line: Stanford University

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One of the top engineering schools in the world, Stanford offers a comprehensive range of programs, including bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and more.

Stanford is nearly synonymous with Silicon Valley, such is its influence over the modern tech world. The list of companies founded or co-founded by Stanford alumni is nearly endless but includes Google, HP, Cisco and PayPal.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Year founded: 1861

Annual cost: $57,590

Enrollment in master’s program: 3,222

Bottom Line: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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The top banana in engineering is currently MIT. The campus boasts 20 research centers on campus for exploring a variety of disciplines, including cancer research, ocean engineering, and soldier nanotechnologies. Entrepreneurial-minded students can also enter a $100,000 competition for the opportunity to win start-up money.

Those already working in the engineering field but looking to switch their focus can do so through the school’s MIT Career Reengineering Program, through which they’ll complete a semester-long course, a research project or internship, and attend various career workshops.